Dominik Sowieja
Dominik Sowieja
Racextract Schnitzer Team with Dominik Sowieja
Dominik Sowieja - a long-standing member of the racextract – Schnitzer team – is the oldest of the five athletes at 34 years old, but by his own account, as fit as he was at 20.
Dominik has always sought the ultimate challenge that pushes him to his physical and mental limits. That is how he ended up in triathlon. This sport taught him how much is actually possible when the mind is ready to take command. As a young boy and teenager, he played football. However, due to injuries, he was advised by his doctor to find another sport. Running alone was not enough for him. It was cycling combined with swimming sessions that ignited the fire within him. And so, a hobby turned into a professional passion that he successfully pursues today. Even setbacks and chronic illnesses do not stop him. He loves to go to the limit. Especially on the bike. High speeds and being outdoors in nature make cycling his favorite discipline. And nature is where he finds his best balance anyway. Always in an active way, of course, and often with friends while climbing, playing beach volleyball, or cliff jumping. Experiences and adventures – that is what Dominik is always looking for. At the same time, he works as an engineer for robotics and automation. As a professional triathlete, it is very important to prioritize correctly, which requires planning, time management, and flexible working hours. Through effective communication with the relevant interfaces, Dominik manages to organize and master his everyday life quite well. And this looks different from time to time. Immediately after a competition, there is more time for work, although sport is always priority number one. Otherwise, the weeks are structured into rest days (swimming sessions, strength training) combined with work days and more intensive training days with 3 training sessions per day. Sufficient sleep and healthy, easily digestible meals round off his daily routine.
Because in addition to his achievements to date (3rd place IM Vitoria-Gasteiz 2022, 9th place IM European Championship Hamburg 2023, and 5th place at IM Cozumel 2024), his goals remain ambitious: Above all, Dominik wants to establish the sport on his own terms and win an IRONMAN®. Reaching the top 15 at the IM World Championship in Hawaii is also part of that.
More power through a gluten-free diet
Only gluten-free foods are well tolerated by Dominik, as he suffers from a gluten intolerance himself. For his travels as a triathlete, this always means a great deal of preparation and research, as well as a suitcase full of gluten-free food. By giving up gluten-containing products, Dominik has been able to settle his stomach, and symptoms such as bloating have disappeared. Other positive effects also included the reduction and elimination of pain in his hips and other parts of his body. Furthermore, his core stability has improved, and he feels more vital and capable. The resulting faster recovery is also important for a professional athlete.
One of Dominik's favorite products
Dominik always packs the protein toastie for his travels. Quick to prepare and simply delicious, the toastie provides an optimal supply of protein, zinc, folic acid, iron, and fiber.
